Our VISION

To be a beacon of healing and empowerment for veterans and active-duty military personnel, fostering personal growth and lifelong passion through the transformative experience of sailing. Stay the Course!

OUR VISION

Our MISSION

Veteran Sailing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity organization founded by Marine Corps veteran turned avid sailor, Brian Forristal, in San Diego, CA. We are dedicated to empowering and supporting veterans and service members by hosting no-cost sailing events that facilitate mindfulness and connection to nature, strengthen camaraderie and teamwork, and ignite a lifelong passion for the sea and sailing where adventure awaits. Learn more about the team and mission in the videos below, and join our community.

Merch

All profits go towards supporting our sailing operations for veterans and service members.

PRACTICE AREAS

PROGRAMS

Discovery Sail

Spend a day sailing and working as a team with fellow veterans and military members in the waters off San Diego and experience the therapeutic benefits of connecting with nature through harnessing the wind.

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ASA CERTIFICATION Discount

After participating in a Discovery Sail, contact us to learn more about discounts offered for American Sailing Association (ASA) 101 certification through participating sailing schools.

Upon completion, you'll be able to skipper a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20 to 27 feet in length by day in light to moderate winds (up to 15 knots) and sea conditions.

Inquire

Coming Soon

Mission-oriented sailing, multi-day excursions, sailing retreats, community events like bonfires and barbecues, and our own sailing school.

Join our newsletter to stay informed and donate to help make these programs possible.

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Sailboat on San Diego bay sailing past downtown

Crew of veterans on dock after day of sailing

ATTORNEYS

Our team

FOUNDER & CEO
Brian Forristal

Brian honorably served in the Marine Corps as an Infantry Rifleman between 2006 and 2010 at duty stations Marine Barracks 8th & I and Camp Lejeune.

Brian deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and additionally conducted humanitarian operations after the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti in 2010. In 2021, he volunteered with the American Red Cross to support Afghan refugees in New Mexico.

After moving his family from Pittsburgh to San Diego in 2022, Brian fulfilled a life-long dream of learning to sail. He hopes to foster and strengthen the love of sailing in other veterans and active-service members to contribute to a resilient community.

Lead Skipper
Captain Don Rock

Don honorably served in the Navy as an Electronics Technician between 1989 and 1994 on the USS Worden and USS Samuel Gombers with deployments in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

After separating from the Navy, Don ran a boat systems business, earned his Merchant Mariners Captain's License, delivered countless boats, and completed two Pacific crossings. In 2012, Don and his wife moved their sailboat, and home of 20 years, to San Diego where he works full-time as a Captain and ASA instructor.

He is honored to serve with Veteran Sailing, having the opportunity to share his passion of the sea, giving back to those who serve(d) our country, hoping to help them find peace.

CONTACT